Patents by Inventor Nee-Yin Chou

Nee-Yin Chou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8275450
    Abstract: A method of measuring blood velocity includes obtaining a first velocity image by illuminating a tissue surface with a light source for a first exposure time, obtaining a second velocity image by illuminating the tissue surface with the light source for a second exposure time, computing a first average intensity of a first pixel block at a first predetermined location of the first velocity image and a second average intensity of a second pixel block at a second predetermined location of the second velocity image, identifying mid-range velocities of the first and second pixel blocks, computing an optimal optical coherence parameter based on the mid-range velocity of the first pixel block and the mid-range velocity of the second pixel block, and iteratively re-computing the first velocity image and the second velocity image using the optimal optical coherence parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: WinTec LLC
    Inventors: Leonard W. Winchester, Jr., Nee-Yin Chou
  • Publication number: 20110034810
    Abstract: A method of measuring blood velocity includes obtaining a first velocity image by illuminating a tissue surface with a light source for a first exposure time, obtaining a second velocity image by illuminating the tissue surface with the light source for a second exposure time, computing a first average intensity of a first pixel block at a first predetermined location of the first velocity image and a second average intensity of a second pixel block at a second predetermined location of the second velocity image, identifying mid-range velocities of the first and second pixel blocks, computing an optimal optical coherence parameter based on the mid-range velocity of the first pixel block and the mid-range velocity of the second pixel block, and iteratively re-computing the first velocity image and the second velocity image using the optimal optical coherence parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Leonard W. Winchester, JR., Nee-Yin Chou
  • Patent number: 7826890
    Abstract: An intravenous infiltration detection apparatus for monitoring intravenous failures, which applies an optical method coupled with fiber optics and algorithms for tissue optics to provide a means for noninvasive detection of intravenous infiltration surround the site of IV injection. In the invention, the tissue surrounding the injection site is exposed to a single-wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, and light is collected with only one detector. Changes in the relative intensity of the radiation reflected, scattered, diffused or otherwise emitted provide a means for monitoring infiltration. The invention provides routine, automated, continuous, and real-time monitoring for patients undergoing IV therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: WinTec, LLC
    Inventors: Leonard W. Winchester, Jr., Nee-Yin Chou
  • Patent number: 7610080
    Abstract: Infrared and Raman spectroscopy methods are used to assess the tension of ligaments, tendons and other tissue. The device includes an electromagnetic radiation source for directing radiation energy onto a sample, either directly or using a probe. Between the radiation source and the sample, emitted electromagnetic energies pass through a filtering device and are directed to the sample using optical components such as mirrors, lenses and optical fibers. After impacting the tissue, scattered emissions are collected by a collecting lens at a predetermined geometry. The scattered emissions are collected by a collection means such as lens and optical fibers directed to another filtering device and a spectrum-analyzing device, and detected with a photon-detecting device. The collected scattering signals are analyzed using a computing device such as a computer or a microprocessor. The tension in the tissue is obtained from the analysis of the scattered emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: WinTec, LLC
    Inventors: Leonard W. Winchester, Jr., Nee-Yin Chou
  • Patent number: 7113817
    Abstract: New devices and methods are provided for noninvasive and noncontact real-time measurements of tissue blood velocity. The invention uses a digital imaging device such as a detector array that allows independent intensity measurements at each pixel to capture images of laser speckle patterns on any surfaces, such as tissue surfaces. The laser speckle is generated by illuminating the surface of interest with an expanded beam from a laser source such as a laser diode or a HeNe laser as long as the detector can detect that particular laser radiation. Digitized speckle images are analyzed using new algorithms for tissue optics and blood optics employing multiple scattering analysis and laser Doppler velocimetry analysis. The resultant two-dimensional images can be displayed on a color monitor and superimposed on images of the tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: WinTec, LLC
    Inventors: Leonard W. Winchester, Jr., Nee-Yin Chou